"——Probably a trained nurse, if he recommends it——" said her father, very low and rapidly.
What was a Train-Nurse?
Miss Cleeve went away, as usual on Saturdays, as soon as lunch was finished, saying warningly to Lily: "Now mind you go and play in the terrace garden as your mother told you. I think I should stay on the nice front terrace all the afternoon, if I were you. It'll be nice and sunny there."
"Yes, Miss Cleeve," said Lily forlornly.
There was probably something to be seen or heard from the other part of the garden, overlooking the drive, that they did not want her to know about.
In spite of this conviction, however, Lily went to the terrace, and looked up at the windows of the room where Vonnie was.
The blinds of both windows were drawn down so as to admit the least possible light into the bedroom and there was nothing to be learnt. Lily went into the potting-shed and sat there in the obscurity and cried.
She heard two of the servants walking down the path outside, as though on their way to the stables, and caught fragmentary words and phrases.... "It's awful—so quick, too."
"That's the way with tumours ... don't you remember me telling you about my poor Aunt Gertie ... just the same way it was——"
"Why, they may have to operate...."